A BACKING DEVICE BASED ON AN EMBEDDED STIFFENER AND RETRACTABLE INSERTION TOOL FOR THIN-FILM COCHLEAR ARRAYS

Intracochlear trauma from surgical insertion of bulky electrode arrays and inadequate pitch perception are areas of concern with current hand-assembled commercial cochlear implants. Parylene thin-film arrays with higher electrode densities and lower profiles are a potential solution, but lack rigidity and hence depend on manually fabricated permanently attached polyethylene terephthalate (PET) tubing based bulky backing devices. As a solution, we investigated a new backing device with two sub-systems. The first sub-system is a thin poly(lactic acid) (PLA) stiffener that will be embedded in the parylene array. The second sub-system is an attaching and detaching mechanism, utilizing a poly(N-vinylpyrrolidone)-block-poly(d,l-lactide) (PVP-b-PDLLA) copolymer-based biodegradable and water soluble adhesive, that will help to retract the PET insertion tool after implantation. As a proof-of-concept of sub-system one, a microfabrication process for patterning PLA stiffeners embedded in parylene has been developed. Conventional hotembossing, mechanical micromachining, and standard cleanroom processes were integrated for patterning fully released and discrete stiffeners coated with parylene. The released embedded stiffeners were thermoformed to demonstrate that imparting perimodiolar shapes to stiffener-embedded arrays will be possible. The developed process when integrated with the array fabrication process will allow fabrication of stiffener-embedded arrays in a single process. As a proof-of-concept of sub-system two, the feasibility of the attaching and detaching mechanism was demonstrated by adhering 1x and 1.5x scale PET tube-based insertion tools and PLA stiffeners embedded in parylene using the copolymer adhesive. The attached devices survived qualitative adhesion tests, thermoforming, and flexing. The viability of the detaching mechanism was tested by aging the assemblies in-vitro in phosphate buffer solution. The average detachment times, 2.6 minutes and 10 minutes for 1x and 1.5x scale devices respectively, were found to be clinically relevant with respect to the reported array insertion times during surgical implantation. Eventually, the stiffener-embedded arrays would not need to be permanently attached to current insertion tools which are left behind after implantation and congest the cochlear scala tympani chamber. Finally, a simulation-based approach for accelerated failure analysis of PLA stiffeners and characterization of PVP-b-PDLLA copolymer adhesive has been explored. The residual functional life of embedded PLA stiffeners exposed to body-fluid and thereby subjected to degradation and erosion has been estimated by simulating PLA stiffeners with different parylene coating failure types and different PLA types for a given parylene coating failure type. For characterizing the PVP-b-PDLLA copolymer adhesive, several formulations of the copolymer adhesive were simulated and compared based on the insertion tool detachment times that were predicted from the dissolution, degradation, and erosion behavior of the simulated adhesive formulations. Results indicate that the simulation-based approaches could be used to reduce the total number of time consuming and expensive in-vitro tests that must be conducted

Rapid quantification of trypsin inhibitors in food and feed formulations with electrospray ionization mass spectrometry

Presence of anti- nutrients deteriorate the nutritional value of animal foods and feed formulations. The important one being trypsin inhibitors. Trypsin inhibitors in food and feed formulations lower the protein supplement and hence the ultimate consequence is the decrease in growth and development of animals. It is therefore, crucial to monitor trypsin inhibitors in animal food and feed formulations. Research work mentioned in this dissertation is based on the development of rapid, more accurate and robust method for determination of trypsin inhibitor in food and feed formulations. The developed method includes extraction of trypsin inhibitor from food and feed formulation and monitoring the decrease in hydrolysis of Hydroxy Methyl Thio Butanoic Acid (HMTBA) derived oligo lysine with the help of electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). HMTBA capped oligo lysine was synthesized through a chymotrypsin catalyzed reaction in phosphate buffer. The developed method was favorably compared with the existing method recommended by American Association of Cereal and Chemists (AACC). The second part discusses on the test methods and specifications of unused natural ester oils developed for transformers and similar electrical equipment. Because of lack of internationally recognized test methods to study oxidation stability of natural ester oils for use in transformers and similar electrical equipment, this research work has been aimed at developing appropriate oxidation stability test methods for natural esters and synthetic esters. The test methods include various round robin tests participated by different laboratories from seven countries around the world. The natural ester oils in this work refers to the vegetable oils obtained from seed or other suitable biological methods. These specifications have been adopted in new IEC standard test method (IEC 62770) --Abstract, page iv

A thematic appraisal on Srotas in Ayurveda with relation to Rasavaha Srotas Mulsthana and its aspects with Cardiovascular System

Dosha, Dhatu, Mala are considered as the basis of the human body. Srotas are the channels through which the conduction of the nutrients for the Dhatu is takes place frequently to maintain health. Acharya Charak hasdefined it as “Sravanat Srotamsi” means the structure through which Sravanam takes place. Acharya Sushruta describes Srotas as structures which originate from vacant spaces (hollow organs), spread throughout the body and purvey materials or elements. Srotas are the internal transport system of the body which provides assistance for activities of significant bio-factors like Tridoshas, seven Dhatu, the Oja, etc. Hridaya and Dasha Dhamani are considered as Mulasthan (originating place) of Rasavaha Srotas. Heart is the organ which is situated in middle mediastenum and pumps the blood throughout the body continuously. Hridaya is a material cause for storage and pumping action of Rasadhatu after that Dasha Dhamani transports that Rasa Dhatu through all corners of body. Hridaya can be justified as a Mulasthan with storage point of view and Dasha Dhamani as a Mulasthan with conduction standpoint. Sira and Dhamani along with Hridaya forms the foundation of cardiovascular system. In fact, the term ‘vascular’ in CVS comprises of Sira and Dhamani i.e. hollow and tubular structures

Anguli Pramana in Ayurveda - A method of measurement in Ancient time

The length and breadth of different anga-pratyanga in the human body was measured by using the fingers of individuals is known as Anguli Pramana. Own Anguli Pramana is taken to measure the body parts, this is called as Swanguli Pramana. It is one of the Sharira Pramana tool for determining various measurement of body parts. Angula Pramanaa is the means to quantitatively expressing the magnitudes of the human body parts. An individual with Anga-Pratyangas having appropriate measurements is tolerated with longevity, prosperity, happiness, wealth, ojas, strength. Angula Pramana is ancient method of quantitatively expressing the scales of the human body parts. Anguli Pramana measurement should be done at the site of ‘Average of medio-lateral proximal interphalangeal joint of middle finger of right and left hand, and it should be considered of concerned person

Unscarred uterine rupture: a retrospective analysis in tertiary center

Background: Uterine rupture is a catastrophic obstetrical emergency associated with a significant fetomaternal morbidity and mortality. Many risk factors for uterine rupture, as well as a wide range of clinical presentations have been identified. The objectives of the present study were to analyze the frequency, predisposing factors, maternal and fetal outcomes of unscarred uterine rupture.Methods: A retrospective analysis of cases of unscarred uterine rupture was conducted at the Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology Jhalawar medical college Jhalawar Rajasthan from January 2009 to December 2016.Results: Our analysis comprised of 11 cases with unscarred uterine rupture. Incidence of unscarred uterine rupture is 0.01% or 1/10,000  deliveries.Conclusions: In our study there was no history of uterine scarring so the main predisposing factor are maltiparity and obstructed labour. The grand multiparas women and obstructed labour must be managed by proper trained personnel and in tertiary care center in order to avoid the morbidity and mortality

Effectiveness of light emitting diode versus conventional phototherapy in neonatal hyperbilirubinemia: a hospital based observational study

Background: The most commonly used light sources in the conventional phototherapy units are compact fluorescent lamp (CFL), halogen spotlights and fiberoptic blankets. Recently light emitting diodes (LED) has emerged as better light source for phototherapy and almost replacing all the available conventional light sources. Comparative studies on the efficacy of LED versus conventional phototherapy are limited from India. That is why; this study was undertaken.Methods: 48 neonates of ≥35 weeks gestational age with hyperbilirubinemia were participated in this study. Among them, 24 neonates received conventional phototherapy and rest of them received LED phototherapy. The rate of fall of bilirubin levels at 6 hours and at completion along with total duration of phototherapy in both groups was measured. Results analysed by standard statistical methods.Results: LED phototherapy units showed higher rate of fall in bilirubin at six hrs (LED group: 0.38±0.05 mg/dl/hr versus conventional group: 0.30±0.04 mg/dl/hr, p<0.05) and after completion of therapy (LED group:                      0.32±0.03 mg/dl/hr versus conventional group: 0.26±0.03 mg/dl/hr, p<0.05) compared to conventional group. Significant difference was documented in total duration of phototherapy in LED group (30.8±1.8 hours) when compared to conventional group (34.6±0.7 hours). None of the neonate showed phototherapy failure. Side effects were minimal and comparable in both the groups.Conclusions: The LED phototherapy units are more efficacious in terms of higher rate of fall of bilirubin levels and lesser duration of phototherapy compared to conventional phototherapy units

A Critical Analysis of the Quad -Segments in “Train to Pakistan,” an Epoch-making Novel by Khushwant Singh

This research paper aims to explore “Dacoity”, “Kalyuga” (the Age of Downfall), “Mano[1]Maira” (Dirty-Mind) and “Karma” (Deeds) in “Train to Pakistan”, an epoch-making novel inscribed by Khushawant Singh and critically analyse those four phases in the fiction. The Partition of India is the gloomiest occurrence in British India, which attracted the attention of several writers, poets, and novelists who portrayed it in their respective works. Khushwant Singh expresses his anger over the violation of the long-cherished Indian values over the communal riots that occurred over the process of the Partition of United British India into India and Pakistan. It can be argued that “Train to Pakistan”, a tragedy inscribed in a mock-comic form, heaps up pieces of criticism over the celebration of the freedom attained with mass murder, bestiality and ingeniously, delineating the pity and horror of the two-nation theory, and it is a nightmare with a thrilling texture which one closes the novel with a sigh of relief

Role of Herbal Immunomodulator (Viranorm) as Add-on Treatment in Asymptomatic or Mildly Symptomatic COVID-19 Confirmed Cases

Background: Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) is a highly infectious disease known to be caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Boosting the immune system seems to be a judicious strategy to combat the coronavirus infection. Objective: The primary objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and safety of Viranorm + standard of care with standard care alone in the prevention of disease progression in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 infection. Secondary objective was to compare the immunological response of Viranorm + standard of care with standard care alone in asymptomatic or mildly symptomatic COVID-19 infection. Results: Of the 251 randomized subjects, a total of 123 received Viranorm + standard of care and 128 received standard of care alone. After administration of study treatment, on visit 1, follow-up was done on Days 3, 7, 14 and 21. The patients treated with Viranorm + standard of care showed significantly lesser time to resolution of cough than the patients with standard of care alone. At Day 7 and Day 14, the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results were available for only few patients. Therefore, no firm conclusions can be drawn on the effect of the drug on the incidence of RT-PCR negative subjects. All subjects from both treatment groups reported recovery and no deaths occurred during the study. At Day 14, neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR) values decreased in both treatment groups. The magnitude of decrease in NLR was substantially higher in the group that received Viranorm as an add-on treatment (8% median decrease) compared to the group that received only standard of care (2.6% median decrease). No adverse events or deaths occurred during the entire study duration. Conclusion: The add-on treatment with herbal immunomodulator Viranorm for COVID-19 is safe and effective in reducing the duration of cough and is indicative of a significant decrease in systemic inflammation as shown by NLR

Analysis of a harmonics neutralized 48-pulse STATCOM with GTO based voltage source converters

Multi-pulse topology of converters using elementary six-pulse GTO - VSC (gate turn off based voltage source converter) operated under fundamental frequency switching (FFS) control is widely adopted in high power rating static synchronous compensators (STATCOM). Practically, a 48- pulse (6x8 pulse) configuration is used with the phase angle control algorithm employing proportional and integral (PI) control methodology. These kinds of controllers, for example the ±80MVAR compensator at Inuyama switching station, KEPCO, Japan, employs two stages of magnetics viz. intermediate transformers (as many as VSCs) and a main coupling transformer to minimize harmonics distortion in the line and to achieve a desired operational efficiency. The magnetic circuit needs altogether nine transformers of which eight are phase shifting transformers (PST) used in the intermediate stage, each rating equal to or more than one eighth of the compensator rating, and the other one is the main coupling transformer having a power rating equal to that of the compensator. In this paper, a two-level 48-pulse ±100MVAR STATCOM is proposed where eight, six-pulse GTO-VSC are employed and magnetics is simplified to single-stage using four transformers of which three are PSTs and the other is a normal transformer. Thus, it reduces the magnetics to half of the value needed in the commercially available compensator. By adopting the simple PI-controllers, the model is simulated in a MATLAB environment by SimPowerSystems toolbox for voltage regulation in the transmission system. The simulation results show that the THD levels in line voltage and current are well below the limiting values specified in the IEEE Std 519-1992 for harmonic control in electrical power systems. The controller performance is observed reasonably well during capacitive and inductive modes of operation

Divine Viewpoint of Rabindranath Tagore Development

The research paper deals with the Divine viewpoint of Rabindranath Tagore who was Vaishainavite poet, Novelist, story writer, and thinker and philosopher, a versatile personality. Humanistic view saw its full development after the advent of Renaissance in the European nations, and all faiths somewhere propounded the notion of fraternity, equity and liberty, and most of the people still believe that Tagore’s spiritual poetry as specified in the Gitanjali deals with Divine Element and mysticism demonstrating co-relationship between humanity, Divinity and the Universe, and Tagore’s humanistic view is closely associated with his spiritualism, nevertheless, it brings humanity close to Divinity. God loves to see in me not his servant but himself who serves all. According to Tagore salvation is not complete absorption into God but absolute dedication to humanity through love, service and joy